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Topic Review (Newest First)

03-29-2014 10:56 PM

davrx

For Sale

I sold this to an avid collector of antique aquariums who is the CEO of a well known reptile/small pet supply company. I have no doubt that he'll be able to complete what I have started. He said this tank is the only one like it he has ever seen so is most likely a OOAK and I believe he has the world's largest antique aquarium collection so he would know. I'm glad it's gong to a good home.

07-03-2013 06:16 AM

fishyjoe24

looks like a old saltwater steam punk tank.

06-27-2013 05:24 AM

davrx

American Restoration

The producers of American Restoration just contacted me again about possibly going to Vegas next month to film for their upcoming season but the cost is still an issue for me so I guess no dice again.
I had the frames for the bottom windows soldered on properly. The original job was poorly done according to my father-in-law who was a welder in his younger days. So it's better than new now. Still need to bead blast it back to its original luster which we will possibly do this Sunday.

05-03-2013 12:46 AM

caoder

Re: Unique Antique Aquarium

Congrats on starting looking forward to more updates.

Sent from my XT885 using Tapatalk 2

05-01-2013 11:13 PM

hedge_fund

This is really cool. Any new updates?

04-08-2013 12:35 AM

davrx

Update

Finally got around to dismantling the aquarium. All the glass was removed intact which really surprised me. I cleaned out all the old tar sealant, most of which was petrified. The bottom windows were loose but I pried them off only to discover that they had been soldered into place. Will have to take a torch to get the old solder off the bottom of the tank. I'm hoping that they can be reset with black silicone. Now I need to figure how to bring it back to its original finish and seal it with clear cote. There was evidence of the original shellac or varnish on several areas of the brass.

Best of luck with the restore. We're sure it will be properly done in your hands.

Sent from my XT885 using Tapatalk 2

02-16-2013 03:46 AM

d2mini

That's an awesome tank.
I'm surprised they were going to make you pay for it yourself.
I was going to be on Tanked! and I was told in a not so straightforward way that they would cover the costs. Wasn't until i found out that they only work with acrylic (i wasn't that familiar with the show at the time) that I backed out.

02-16-2013 03:19 AM

paulrw

sick, just caught this thread. that tank is awesome. huge qotsa fan btw.

I'm embarrased to say that I've done nothing to the tank since my last post. I've looked it over some more and decided I need to try to dismantle the aquarium in order to restore it. There are hex nuts at each corner on the bottom of the tank sealed with some kind of black tar. I need to remove the tar to unscrew the hex nuts which should allow removal of the 4 sides, glass, and bottom. I can already remove the top. Thought of possibly having the parts then taken to a professional to have the bronze oxidation/corrosion cleaned off. Not sure if they dip it in chemicals or soda or bead blast them. I need to see if I can remove the top to the stand as it's really corroded but I think it's welded to the four legs.
Still haven't decided if the stand was originally painted black or not. Does seem odd that they would paint brass/bronze but I don't want to remove it if it's original as it's still in pretty good shape. Still wish I knew what the lights underneath were for. Doesn't make sense that they'd be for heat or they would have had a glass or bronze dome for more surface area to increase heat transfer. Since it's just little flat glass windows I think they were just for illumination rather than heating.
The nickle finials on the stand have holes going all the way through them and two are treaded so something was apparantley hanging above or behind the tank originally. Probably will never know for sure but my guess would be some sore of plant holders as several of these early aquariums had plant holders as part of them.